Self-Defense to split from regional coalitions?

Self-Defense (Samoobrona) is considering leaving the coalition with the Demo cratic Left Alliance (SLD) and Labour Union (UP) of which it is a member in several regional assemblies. Yesterday, party leader Andrzej Lepper addresse d Prime Minister and SLD head Leszek Miller in writing requesting an urgent meeting, "in order to discuss further co-operation between the two parties w ithin the coalition". "We will not be just a screen for activities of SLD th at are not aimed at improving the living standards of the people, but at hol ding on to power," he said. Lepper would like to consult Miller before the S amoobrona party convention scheduled for February 4. "Should the meeting wit h Miller not take place. We cannot rule out leaving the coalition," Lepper w arned. SLD and Samoobrona form coalitions in Lubelskie, Zachodniopomorskie, and Slaskie voivodships. Together with PSL they also control the Lodzkie voi vodship as well as the Podkarpacie and Podlasie regions. (Rzeczpospolita, p. A5) J.K.